Is Kathmandu the 'North Star' For New Zealanders?
When searching for which backpacks we were going to walk the Camino de Santiago with, there was no question that they would be from Kathmandu. A staple New Zealand brand that holds its own on the world stage of hiking gear, the choice was made for us before the Camino was even booked. There is something comforting about wearing a brand as recognisable as the New Zealand flag or the All Blacks emblem when travelling abroad, it’s as if the peak of Kathmandu in the logo is a beacon to Kiwis wherever you are.
Starting strong, we went with the Gluon Beyond Backpack 18L for Kate’s everyday pack. This was great because it was lightweight, had an exterior pocket, and was water-resistant. While walking for 8 hours +, it was very comfortable thanks to the back padding and cushioned straps. Alternatively, the straps can unhook from the main backpack and be tucked away, allowing you to clip them to the straps of a larger backpack and be worn on the front. We found this beneficial when we had a few days of needing to walk with two backpacks.
Our second day pack that Toby wore was the Litehaul Pack v3 28L. We didn’t always need so much room, but it did allow for a few larger items on wet days. Weighing less than 1kg, water-resistant, and with a U-shaped opening, this was the perfect slightly larger backpack, even on long, hot days. Kate also wore this on a few days when we were carrying two packs each, and although she is smaller, it was still comfortable thanks to the waist and chest straps.
Finishing off strong, we used the Litehaul Carry On v3 38L to transport the main bulk of our gear. We combined three people’s clothes for two weeks, shoes, and all the other things you end up bringing with you. We used luggage transfers to send this pack between our hostels each day. There were one or two days when we had to pick it up from a different location for a few kilometres. Toby was more than capable of carrying it, but we wanted to make the journey as enjoyable as possible, so we opted to have it transported ahead. Weighing 1.4kg, with a D-shaped opening and an easy-access top pocket, this was the perfect large pack for our pilgrimage.
Besides being the perfect selection of packs for our journey, the Kathmandu brand stood out among the sea of backpacks as we walked. Like the North Star, the logo worked its magic, and we were suddenly hearing Kiwi accents. The feeling evoked by the sharp peak of the mountain, in a world so far from home, is something that is not easily created. It makes you wonder, is it the brand, or is it the spirit of New Zealanders?
